CHAPTER 161: CHAPTER 156: NAPOLI VS ATALANTA VII

74’ |

The second goal came in the 74th minute and it started with chaos in Napoli’s defensive third when Højlund pressed Rrahmani aggressively as the center-back received from Meret.

Rrahmani’s touch was heavy under pressure and the ball bounced awkwardly, and when he tried to play it back to his goalkeeper Højlund intercepted with his outstretched leg before the pass could reach its target.

The Danish striker controlled it quickly and drove toward goal as Meret rushed out to narrow the angle, though Kim Min-jae recovered with desperate speed to provide cover.

Højlund’s shot came quickly—right foot aimed toward the near post—but Meret saved it strongly and the rebound spilled toward the edge of the penalty area where Napoli players scrambled to clear.

Zielinski reached it first and attempted to hoof it upfield, though his clearance was blocked by Zapata’s body and the ball ricocheted back toward midfield where Demien had positioned himself anticipating the second ball.

He controlled it with his chest as Anguissa closed from behind, and in that moment the Özil technique activated—showing him every angle, every run, every passing lane in crystal clarity.

Mæhle had continued his overlapping run down the left flank after the initial attack, and Napoli’s right-back Di Lorenzo was caught between tracking the Danish wing-back and covering the space behind him.

Demien shifted the ball onto his right foot and struck a La Croqueta to create separation from Anguissa’s challenge, and the technique worked perfectly as the ball rolled smoothly between his feet while his body shifted left.

The space opened for just a second and he struck a long diagonal pass with his right foot that activated Pogba’s Long Switch Flair instinctively, and the ball bent beautifully through the air with curve that took it away from Di Lorenzo’s attempted interception.

The stadium reacted with a collective gasp—"Ooooooh!"—because the quality of the pass was undeniable even to home supporters, and the camera caught several Napoli fans in the stands nodding appreciation despite their team defending.

Commentary Booth

"What a pass! WHAT A PASS!" Bergomi’s voice rose with genuine admiration. "That’s world-class technique from Walter! Forty yards, perfect curve, right onto Mæhle’s stride!"

Mæhle collected the ball cleanly without breaking pace and drove toward the byline as the away section roared, and his first touch took him past Di Lorenzo’s desperate recovery attempt before he cut the ball back low across the six-yard box.

Bodies converged in the penalty area—Muriel at the near post, Zapata centrally, Kim Min-jae and Rrahmani defending desperately—and the low cross skidded through multiple legs before reaching Zapata’s right foot at the penalty spot.

The Colombian striker’s touch redirected it toward goal from six yards and Meret had no chance, and the ball struck the back of the net before the goalkeeper could react.

GOAL! NAPOLI 3-2 ATALANTA

74’ - Duván Zapata

The away section exploded into absolute pandemonium while fifty-three thousand Napoli fans fell silent, and Zapata sprinted toward the corner flag where Atalanta’s traveling support jumped and screamed and waved flags frantically.

Demien stood near the halfway line breathing hard while his teammates mobbed the goalscorer, and his chest heaved with exertion though his mind felt sharper than it had all match because the rhythm was finally there.

Atalanta players grabbed the ball from the net immediately and sprinted back toward the center circle with urgency, and their voices carried across the pitch—"Come on!" "Keep going!" "One more!"—while the away section sang so loudly the concrete stands vibrated.

Commentary Booth

"Napoli three, Atalanta two, and suddenly this is a match!" Caressa’s voice competed against stadium noise. "That pass from Walter was absolutely sensational! Forty yards with perfect weight and curve, and Zapata finishes calmly!"

"Napoli are in trouble now," Bergomi said. "The momentum has completely shifted. Atalanta smell blood and they’re not going to stop pressing."

Touchline

Gasperini’s reaction was controlled fury as he gestured urgently for his team to push even higher, and his voice carried across the technical area sharp and demanding.

"DON’T STOP! PRESS EVERYTHING! MAKE THEM PANIC!"

Spalletti stood in his technical area with both hands on his head, and his expression showed genuine concern as he called his captain Lobotka over for urgent instructions.

The Croatian midfielder jogged to the touchline and received quick tactical adjustments before returning to organize his teammates, though Napoli’s defensive shape was clearly rattled by the sudden shift in momentum.

The home crowd’s whistles grew louder—directed at their own team now—and sections of the Curva began jeering individual players who gave the ball away carelessly.

76’ - 85’ |

The match opened up completely from the 76th minute as both teams committed bodies forward, and the tactical caution that had defined the first hour disappeared entirely.

At the 78th minute Napoli broke dangerously when Lobotka intercepted Koopmeiners’ pass in midfield and immediately released Osimhen with a vertical ball that split Atalanta’s defensive line.

The Nigerian striker’s pace took him clear of Djimsiti who recovered desperately from behind, and as Osimhen entered the penalty area Musso rushed off his line to narrow the angle.

Osimhen’s shot came quickly—right foot aimed toward the bottom corner—but Musso threw himself left and made a crucial save with his outstretched hand, and the ball deflected wide for a corner.

The home crowd erupted in appreciation while the away section fell silent in relief, and Tolói shouted urgently at his defenders to maintain concentration.

Commentary Booth

"What a save from Musso!" Caressa shouted. "That would have killed the game! Osimhen through one-on-one and the Atalanta goalkeeper comes up huge!"

"Both goalkeepers having excellent matches," Bergomi responded. "Meret at one end, Musso at the other—they’re the difference between this being three-two and five-four."

Touchline

Gasperini made his final substitution at the 79th minute as the fourth official raised the board.

OUT: Teun Koopmeiners

IN: Mario Pašalić

The Croatian midfielder entered with fresh legs and clear instructions—add more physicality in midfield and support the attacking transitions—and Atalanta’s shape adjusted slightly as Pašalić slotted alongside Demien in the double pivot.

Spalletti responded immediately by bringing on defensive reinforcements.

OUT: Matteo Politano

IN: Mathías Olivera

Napoli shifted to a 5-4-1 formation designed purely to protect the one-goal lead, and the tactical message was clear—survive the final ten minutes and take the three points.

At the 82nd minute Atalanta created their best chance since the second goal when Demien won possession in Napoli’s half after Rrahmani’s clearance fell short.

His first touch controlled the bouncing ball cleanly and he immediately drove forward as space opened, and Pašalić made a run toward the penalty area dragging Kim Min-jae with him while Zapata checked short to create a passing option.

Demien played it left to Mæhle who had overlapped down the flank, and the Danish wing-back’s first touch took him to the byline before he cut back a low cross toward the penalty spot.

Bodies converged in the six-yard box—Zapata attacking from the near post, Muriel arriving late from deep—and the ball skidded through multiple legs before reaching Muriel’s right foot at the edge of the six-yard area.

The Colombian striker’s shot was goal-bound and powerful, though Olivera threw his body in the way and the ball deflected off his shin before spinning harmlessly wide for a corner.

The away section screamed in frustration while Napoli defenders collapsed in relief, and Muriel held his head because the angle had been perfect before the deflection.

Commentary Booth

"SO CLOSE!" Caressa’s voice cracked. "Muriel’s shot blocked at point-blank range! Olivera with a desperate block to keep Napoli ahead!"

"That’s what defenders do in these moments," Bergomi said. "Put your body on the line. Olivera just came on and he’s already made a crucial intervention."

The subsequent corner at the 83rd minute saw Atalanta commit everyone forward except Tolói who stayed back as insurance, and Koopmeiners—who had moved to the wing after being substituted—delivered a dangerous cross toward the penalty spot.

Kim Min-jae rose highest above the crowd and headed clear powerfully, and the ball flew out to the halfway line where Kvaratskhelia collected it with acres of space ahead.

Napoli broke three-versus-one as the Georgian winger sprinted forward with only Tolói between him and goal, though Djimsiti recovered with desperate speed from behind.

Kvaratskhelia played it right to Osimhen whose run had taken him clear, and the Nigerian striker drove toward the penalty area as Tolói backpedaled frantically.

His shot came from twenty yards—right foot struck with power—but Musso read it perfectly and caught it cleanly to end the counter-attack.

Commentary Booth

"End-to-end madness!" Caressa shouted. "Atalanta nearly score, Napoli break immediately, Musso saves again! This is incredible drama!"

"Both teams are exhausted but nobody’s giving up," Bergomi added. "The crowd is going absolutely wild—home fans screaming for the whistle, away fans desperate for one more chance."

86’ - 90’ |

The 86th minute brought Atalanta’s best chance yet when Éderson won the ball in Napoli’s defensive third and immediately played it to Demien who had drifted toward the left channel.

His first touch was clean and he drove inside as Anguissa closed, though this time instead of attempting skill he used his body strength to hold the Cameroonian midfielder off before threading a pass through the smallest gap toward Muriel’s run.

The Colombian striker controlled it at the edge of the penalty area as Rrahmani slid desperately toward him, and his shot came quickly—left foot aimed toward the bottom corner—but Meret somehow got down to save it and the rebound was cleared frantically by Kim Min-jae.

The away section screamed in frustration while home fans erupted in relieved celebration, and Muriel held his head in disbelief because the angle had been perfect.

Commentary Booth

"HOW DID THAT NOT GO IN?!" Caressa’s voice cracked. "Meret again! What a performance from Napoli’s goalkeeper!"